Water System Debated

November 14, 1990

UNION BRIDGE - The County Commissioners conducted a public hearing last night to discuss replacing private wells and septic systems in the Key View Estates development and surrounding homes with a community water system.

Well water contamination has been detected in some homes in Keyview Estates because of failing septic systems. The community water system proposed by the county would serve about 43 existing homes, six potential new homes, a church and Francis Scott Key High.

The 117-acre service area is between Bark Hill and Middleburg roads on the west side of Raywell Avenue.

Residents expressed concern at a September public information meeting about homeowners' costs for connecting to the proposed system. The estimated annual charges for households using the system range from $140 to $180.

The Maryland Department of the Environment has informed the county that $500,000 in state grants will be available to the county, covering most of the construction costs. The system is projected to cost between $488,000 and $638,000.

The county's estimated annual operation and maintenance costs for the system range from $10,600 to $13,600.

The system would be intended to supply "safe, clean water" to the area, the county's assistant planning director wrote in a letter to affected residents.

The commissioners are required to have a public hearing before making changes to the county's water and sewer master plan. If the commissioners approve the plan for the system, the proposal will go to the MDE for final review.